Magpul DAKA Pouch : Review

These are a line of ultra rugged and waterproof* organizational storage pouches ideal for active everyday carry and hard use packing kits.

“Magpul builds for the real world, so every item is built to fill a particular mission, and is designed around a unique set of cost, performance, and timeline considerations. Designs without equal. Products you can literally stake your life on.”

Gear reviews are a vital aspect of this site and there’s a reason why they’re all positive (with 1 exception), because I only bother writing about a good product.

However, most of those haven’t been a part of my vagabonding packing list in ages or have lasted long.

I live out of my backpack and am a minimalist so I only equip the most effective gear possible and retain only the best I can get. That’s why my equipment is constantly updated and replaced, including bags and pouches.

Which brings me to the Magpul DAKA Pouch($). As shown, I’ve have the ‘standard small’ for a few months and just received the ‘suppressor small’ last week.

Despite the short time I’ve been able to use them, I’ve known the instant I first had them in my hands that they’ll be a part of my permanent vagabonding kit for a long time to come. That’s not only because DAKA Pouches are overbuilt for the extreme and will last, but it’s their potential versatility beyond merely packing and stowing.

Magpul currently makes the DAKA Pouch in 8 sizes to accommodate many packing needs, but this review is for 2 of the smallest – with more on the way.

Unlike most other packing pouches, these are not made from typical nylon but a flexible and rugged AF reinforced polymer fabric. The texture is highly tactile and grippy (by design) providing an attractive look and feel.

The material itself is completely waterproof and should take on aggressive abrasions from the outside as well as impact from sharp and hard points from within like a champ. These are made to last through hard use for careless and continuous reliability on the field.

The zippers are the very high-end and water repellant YKK AquaGuard® models. It’s integrated elegantly and literally seamlessly like my Stealth Hoodie LS. Topped off with 550 paracord as the zipper tab and wrapped with heat shrink tubing for further grip.

Depending on the Magpul DAKA Pouch($) size, there’s rather 2 or 4 attachment points for a variety of carry and packing options; carabiner, paracord, bungee cord etc.

What may seem like a subtle but aesthetic cosmetic feature are the dot matrix debossing. These 10 sets of “dots” are actually used to add letters or numbers with a contrasting colored pen for item identification.

Magpul DAKA Pouches($) have no stitching, which means no need for delicate taping. Instead, construction is all welded for impenetrable seals and toughness.

However, these are not completely waterproof. The material and seals are but the zippers are only water repellant. In my testing, heavy rainfall and intentional water splashing directed at the zipper area caused not a single drop to penetrate.

Submersion will indeed cause water to enter, albeit slowly. But as long as it’s never completely underwater and the zipper is sealed, water should never penetrate.

All this makes them ideal for packing electronics, dry clothing, documents and even unwrapped foods.

I like to think of these as heavily armored to the extreme Ziploc bags. Or better yet the Navy Seal approved aLOKSAK pouches, but far more useful.

4140 + Carbon Steel // Friction Lock System // Weight: 5.12oz / 145.1g // Size: 5.06″ / 11.75″

Magpul DAKA Pouch /// $17+

[Also featured in this review is an Operator Pen, Exilis Knife, Alpha Touch Gloves and an SOCP Dagger.]